Strangford Ulster Unionist MLA, Mike Nesbitt, has expressed his shock and sadness at the murder of 36 year old Philip Strickland at Ballydrain outside Comber.
“Whatever the explanation for this brutal killing, there can be no excuse. Murder is murder, and all murder is wrong.
“I stood at the police line on the Ballydrain Road early this morning, as the journalists and camera crews arrived, and it took me back to the darkest days of the Troubles, yet here we were, in 2012, on an otherwise sunny morning, surrounded by beautiful scenery and the birds singing in the trees. It was hard to believe we had all gathered to mark a murder.
“It is up to the PSNI to investigate what happened. The rest of us would be better not to speculate, but rather remember this man has a family, friends and neighbours, who will be shocked and in some cases traumatised by what has happened. No one should add to that misery with unnecessary speculation about the whys and wherefores. If you have information, take it to the PSNI.
“I also commend the police service not only for their progress to date, but also for their rapid decision to deploy community officers to the area to knock doors and talk to and reassure residents who will have been deeply unsettled by the news that greeted them this morning.”
Hello Mike. Yes indeed, I agree with every word you say. However, I have become more dubious of the PSNI ability to prevent murderous acts such as these, or other crime, when they have cut back the numbers of police and closed Comber police station. We are left, so I am told, with just one patrol car for the whole Peninsula!! Hardly a deterrent, and more likely to be used against the PSNI sending them off on a wild goose chase whilst crime is committed in the opposite direction! I do stand to be corrected in this, of course??
Harry i totally agree closing police stations is not the answer may i say that when they decided to close Killyleagh, Crossgar and Saintfield Stations the UUP where very silent and did nothing to try and stop it happening that was left to the DUP and by the way i am not a DUP voter.
Hi Ronald. You are quite right in what you say. Perhaps, like me, you should vote UUP next time round!! LOL!
when did they close the comebr station, i thought it was still open..a stupid decision
It is not just station closures, there is also the amalgamation of what was formerly Traffic Branch and the Armed Response Unit – two distinct skills, I think you both will agree!).
I have, and will continue, to press the local PSNI Commanders on these issues. If the health service is recognising the need to put prevention before cure, then the police service equally must value deterrent over investigation.
Good man! Alex Kane was proven right in what he said about the PSNI some time ago, if you remember. Yes, obviously the only way to get anything done is to make a nuisance of oneself! – Interestingly, the murdered man was part of a criminal family gang, so it seems the PSNI already “knew” him, which is why they made such a quick arrest. In that case, they were lucky. I just wonder how efficient their Intelligence service is, or do they rely solely on MI 5 or 6!
Mike I understand your opinion of PSNI having to deal with funding cuts – what has been put in place, as a solution, is I believe a neighbourhood watch scheme that Local areas are promoting as part of community policing – this is being supported by Dept of Justice as they believe it to be the way forward to new policing and encouraging communities to become involved in local policing.
However, what happens when PSNI support is required, the neighbourhood watch is left inform police of events happening within the community. But what happens to the miscreant commiting crime – who gives evidence at his trial if it ever happens, is it the neighbourhood watch person (who then leaves themselves open to retailiation from the offenders) or the police who then have to use third hand evidence to prosecute (which would be difficult to obtain a reliable prosecution and leave the prosecution open to appeals at all levels) a policeman is a dispenser of justice, but when a private citizen (community watch) gives evidence their word is disputable and defence solicitors would have a field day disputing evidence.
Food for thought methinks.
Hello desmere. I had no idea at all about this community watch thing! Your quite right, it would not work, no chance at all! I was thinking that if we cannot afford our own Police Service, then perhaps we should change to the American idea. Appoint a Sheriff by democratic vote. He can then appoint official Deputies who will have the legal powers of arrest, (and, as in the US, the power to shoot to kill!!). He would have the legal right as a Deputy to stand in court as a reliable witness and not be challenged. That should keep certain of our citizens quiet I would say! What do you think Mike?